US, China and russia acting against Europe's interests - Macron said that EU countries are under significant pressure

French President Emmanuel Macron said that Europe is under unprecedented pressure, as the US, China and russia are acting against its interests. The politician called on European countries to be more independent and united in defending their positions.

The French leader said this during a public discussion with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens.

This is reported by the Politico portal.

"We should not underestimate that now is a unique moment when the US president, the russian president and the Chinese president are categorically against the Europeans. So this is exactly the moment when we should wake up," Macron said.

"We need to be a little more confident in ourselves and offer our program," he added.

The French president expects that tensions in relations with the US will continue after the end of Donald Trump's presidential term.

"This is a historical trend. We can cooperate with the United States on some issues, and that still makes sense because of shared values ​​and historical ties, but I really believe that this approach of the United States will continue," he added.

He noted that the main difference between Trump's first and second terms was that many European countries saw the first term as an aberration that would end and did not require fundamental change.

"Now many colleagues have a more sober vision, because after so many years we say: OK, we have to react. We have to act as Europeans, be more united, defend ourselves and our own interests. And for me this is the right direction," Macron said.

Macron flew to Athens after an informal European Council meeting in Cyprus. Greece and France are set to sign an agreement on Saturday to renew a bilateral security pact.